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Following the recent news that Ovation/Ticketek had joined member organisation CAST (Centre for Arts, Sports and Technology) as its first buyer member, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), has officially joined CAST—marking a major milestone as CAST’s first international member and in KLCC’s commitment to innovation and future-focused venue management.

CAST exists to create low-friction pathways for the discovery, trial, and adoption of new technologies across the entertainment ecosystem. From improving fan engagement to streamlining operations, CAST bridges Builders (startups) and Buyers (industry leaders) to reshape how entertainment is delivered and experienced.

By joining CAST, KLCC has committed to trialling or adopting at least one new piece of technology each year - helping solve real-world challenges and enabling innovation to be embedded directly into live entertainment environments.

Located within the Kuala Lumpur City Centre precinct, KLCC is part of ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. KLCC is one of Southeast Asia’s premier event venues, offering over 34,000 square metres of purpose-built function space. Its strategic alignment with CAST reinforces a shared vision for advancing technology adoption and driving greater customer experiences.

John Burke, General Manager of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre notes “the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation in the events industry, with direct access to cutting-edge technologies and solutions developed by some of the most promising startups. CAST aligns perfectly with our vision to future-proof our business, deliver memorable experiences, and position ourselves as a leader in modern event and venue management.

“We rely on disconnected tech stacks so showcasing integrated startup solutions can help bridge that gap between legacy and modern, interoperable platforms.”

Gav Parry, General Manager of CAST enthused “I’m stoked to have KLCC as our first international member, it’s a huge milestone for CAST. With KLCC being based in the heart of one of Asia’s most iconic precincts, it makes for an incredible opportunity for putting new tech to work to drive efficiency and ultimately greater experiences for visitors from all over the world. I’m super excited by what this means for startups and, more broadly, innovation across the region.

“Having John - with his 25+ years’ experience in the industry -as part of CAST is truly exciting, and I can’t thank him enough for his support and belief in our vision.”

CAST Membership
CAST recognises that time is one of the biggest barriers to innovation and most large organisations simply lack the capacity to give high potential startups the attention they require to bring about improved operations and experiences. CAST works directly with startups to define trial or adoption structures in advance, eliminating months of back and forth when an opportunity arises.

CAST delivers a quarterly innovation report to its members, showcasing a curated view of the bleeding edge technology and innovation solutions currently being built for the entertainment sector. Each edition is shaped by the specific challenges uncovered during a member’s onboarding with CAST ensuring the content speaks directly to each member’s unique priorities. From pilot opportunities and real-world case studies to shared lessons, exclusive interviews with industry figures, practical tools, and thought pieces, the report is designed to help teams move from insight to action.

The report is specifically curated to spark new conversations about how organisations can engage with the startups shaping the future of entertainment.

At its core, the report is about connection: connecting buyers with builders, ideas with outcomes, and organisations across music, sport, and the arts with the tools to create a thriving and future-ready industry.

Want to get your product in front of Ovation, Ticketek, and similar venues and entertainment companies?

Create a CAST Profile to join the innovation pipeline and be considered for real-world trials and partnership opportunities. 

Related Articles

23rd May 2025 - Ticketek’s Ovation joins CAST to support future entertainment innovation

27th March 2025 - Momentus Technologies partners with CAST in startup callout at 2025 Asia-Pacific Venue Industry Congress

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